The Bussing-NAG 5 cm KwK 39/IL/60 four-wheel German armored car is one of two prototypes of this nature built. Historical reference for these vehicles is very hard to come by. However, it is known that they were in fact built but never put into production. It is also accepted that they were in fact field-tested, but it is debated as to which unit actually tested them. Some sources saying it was the 12th SS Panzer division, but again, there is no definitive proof of this as the data does not exist to confirm this information. There were two paint schemes observed in a photo that exists: one dark yellow and one with a yellow and green camo scheme (with a hard-to-discern pattern). The box art depicts a two-tone camo scheme, so I followed that suggestion based on discussions I had on the Axis WWII forum of the Missing-Lynx armor web site.

This resin model kit comes packaged in a sturdy box with all the parts contained into Ziploc bags. The kit is, in fact, totally resin and is composed of 51 pieces. There is one decal sheet that features four German Balkenkreuzen. The instruction sheet is one small sheet of double-sided print outlining the four steps to building the model and the suggested painting of the completed vehicle.

The first step in assembly is to attach the axles and springs to the bottom of the hull. The step indicates that parts 23A and 23B attach in two small holes in the bottom of the hull, but these holes do not exist. The best solution is to affix the suspension to the hull first and then drill a hole for parts 23A and 23B after marking their placement.

The second step in the assembly is to attach the road wheels to the suspension. I personally deferred this step until after final painting of the vehicle.

The third step in the assembly is to attach the side skirts, parts 3A and 3B, to the top of the hull. The parts diagram indicates two slotted extensions that would fit into slots in the main hull, but those extensions do not exist on the parts, however, the slots do in fact exist in the main hull. Thus, I filled the hull slots with putty and sanded them smooth.

The fourth and final step is to attach the bumpers, mufflers, etc., and to assemble the turret, which features a very nice-looking 2 cm gun made of metal. The machine gun, part 7, is also a small hollow metal tube. The guidepost indicators, parts 19 (x3) and 20, were very difficult to remove from the resin block, which left a noticeable flat surface instead of round surface. While I was gently trying to sand these parts, they broke in two, and I replaced them with small metal wire and formed a roundhead on the top with superglue. I added a radio antenna with stretched sprue from my workbench.

I followed the kit instructions and painted the model in overall sandy yellow with a green camouflage pattern per the box art using Testors Model Master paints. I then added weathering using artist’s oils and pastel chalks. It was at this point that I attached the road wheels to the model. Overall, the kit built into a very nice-looking model. However, I must say that, in my opinion, the resin used for casting this kit was very brittle compared to other resin kits I have built in the past. Taking into consideration that this is a total resin kit assembly, I would recommend this kit to experienced modelers of plastic kits that want to try their hand at a resin kit. That being said, I would not recommend this kit to a novice modeler.

I would like to thank AMC Models for the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.